At the center of the dispute is the Heights' management of the water fund for the system it owns and operates, Norton Shores officials said. Beauchamp will review those financial records and advise Norton Shores officials on how much he thinks the city could recover, Meyers said.

But, at some point, Meyers said: "We may have to decide whether or not to file a suit."
If that happens, Rose would represent the city.

The governmental units have not formally met to discuss the issue since December, Meyers said.

Mayor Jerry Wiersma told the council he expects to sit down with Muskegon Heights' Mayor Darrell Paige in the next few weeks.

"We haven't had much luck, but one final try at a resolution is in order," Wiersma said.

Rose will make $95 an hour while Beauchamp's hourly rate will be $195, officials said. The city has budgeted a "not-to-exceed amount" of $25,000 for the services.

The water system serves customers in Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores and Fruitport Township.

Meanwhile, the parties also are wrangling over whether revenue from a cell phone antennae on the Getty Street water tower should go to the water supply fund.

In a memo to the city council, Meyers said he's confident in the consultants' abilities to help resolve the conflict with Muskegon Heights.

Three attorneys were interviewed, Meyers said, but Rose stood out above the rest. City Attorney Douglas Hughes is avoiding a conflict of interest by not representing the city in the case. He shares a law practice with the Muskegon Heights city attorney.

"Mr. Rose is a litigator and municipal attorney for several townships," Meyers wrote in a memo to the council. "He has experience in successfully resolving water and sewer issues between neighboring local governments."

Meanwhile, he said Beauchamp "is a nationally recognized utility rate expert who came highly recommended."

In February, the Heights hired the Clark & Hill law firm of Grand Rapids for guidance in the water dispute.

In October, the Muskegon Heights council unanimously voted to double 2008 wholesale municipal water rates for the three communities. Heights officials say the increase was justified because it was the first rate increase in seven years.

The Norton Shores City Council later approved a 47 percent rate increase for its customers that will take effect this month.

Fruitport Township officials responded by raising township customer water rates, but agreed not to pay Muskegon Heights its rate increase. Instead, the township plans to put the money due the Heights into an escrow account until their dispute with the city is resolved.